EP3847022A1

EP3847022A1 - Device for printing on hollow articles

Info

Publication number: EP3847022A1
Application number: EP19753065.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stephan Behnke; Kurt Weschenfelder
Original assignee: Koenig and Bauer AG
Current assignee: Koenig and Bauer AG
Priority date: 2018-09-04
Filing date: 2019-08-12
Publication date: 2021-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-12
Also published as: DE102018121542A1; WO2020048739A1; DE102018121542B4; US11123976B2; US20210094273A1; EP3847022B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for printing on hollow articles (01), comprising a segmented wheel (03) and an apparatus for sequentially supplying the hollow articles (01) to the periphery of the segmented wheel (03), wherein: said apparatus comprises at least a conveyor wheel (76) and a mandrel wheel (02); in the transport direction of the hollow articles (01), first the conveyor wheel (76), then the mandrel wheel (02) and thereafter the segmented wheel (03) are arranged; a plurality of driver elements is arranged on the periphery of the conveyor wheel (76), and a plurality of retaining apparatuses is arranged on the periphery of the mandrel wheel (02), each retaining apparatus being provided for receiving a hollow article (01), which is to be printed on in cooperation with the segmented wheel (03); the conveyor wheel (76) has a suction apparatus (99) for suctioning each hollow article (01) to be supplied to the segmented wheel (03); the suction apparatus (99) has a suction pump (101); the suction pump (101) is switched on or off in dependence on the angular position (A; B) of the conveyor wheel (76) and, when switched on, produces a negative pressure; a hollow article (01) which is to be conveyed to the mandrel wheel (02) by the conveyor wheel (76) and which is arranged on one of the driver elements of the conveyor wheel (76) is retained on the particular driver element of the conveyor wheel (76) by the negative pressure in an angular range (ω) of the rotating conveyor wheel (76).

Description

description

Device for printing on hollow bodies

The invention relates to a device for printing on hollow bodies according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such as B. is known from WO 2012/148576 A1, mostly several printing units are used in the packaging industry in a device for decorating hollow bodies each having a cylindrical outer surface. Each of these printing units transfers a printing ink to a printing blanket used by these printing units. The outer surface of the hollow body in question is then by a relative movement between the outer surface of the hollow body in question and the previously in particular multicolored printing blanket, in particular by rolling the outer surface of the hollow body in question on this printing blanket with a z. B. decorated multicolored print motif.

Such a device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies, in particular each having a preferably cylindrical outer surface, is used, for. B. in connection with an usually Production plant having a plurality of workstations is used for the production and further processing of such hollow bodies, the printing or decoration of the hollow bodies being carried out by a printing process, for which reason these hollow bodies can generally also be referred to as printed products. In such a production plant, the hollow bodies to be printed are in one

Mass production with e.g. B. several hundred or even a few thousand pieces per minute, for. B. between 1,500 and 2,500 pieces per minute, particularly preferably between 1,800 and 2,200 pieces per minute. Such hollow bodies are z. B. made of metal, in particular steel or aluminum, or made of a plastic. Such hollow body made of metal z. B. used as beverage cans or as aerosol cans. Such hollow body made of plastic z. B. in the form of thermoplastic

Shaped bodies made and z. B. as a cup for packaging z. B. of liquid or pasty foods, especially dairy products or beverages. The respective hollow body can, however, also be a round tube body made either of a plastic or of aluminum, whereby a tube is understood to be an elongated, firm but moldable container which is intended for filling with a paste-like substance in particular. Tubes made of aluminum are e.g. B. made in a backward extrusion process. Tubes made of plastic are e.g. B. produced by extrusion as seamless tubes. Another type of hollow body to be printed in a device mentioned above can be made of glass, preferably cylindrical containers or vessels, for. B. bottles or flacons.

Beverage cans are preferably made of aluminum and are i. d. Usually so-called two-part cans, in which a circular bottom together with a

preferably straight cylinder jacket each from a single workpiece, d. H. from a so-called slug or from a round blank, d. H. a circular disc, in a forming process, e.g. B. in a cold extrusion process or in a Zugdruckformformverfahren, preferably by deep drawing, in particular by

Ironing, to a hollow body open on one side, d. H. to be made into a so-called raw can and in one carried out at the end of production

Manufacturing step, a circular cover is placed on the cylinder jacket and connected airtight to the cylinder jacket by flanging.

Tin cans are another type of tin. Tinplate is a tin-plated steel sheet. For the production of tin cans, the thickness of the steel sheet is z. B. 0.15 mm to 0.49 mm, the thickness of the tin layer z. B. 0.2 pm to 0.8 pm, the tin coating serves to protect against corrosion. Tin cans are so-called

Three-part cans. In order to produce the casing of a tin can, a rectangular strip of sheet steel is bent into a preferably straight cylindrical casing, whereby the ends of this strip bent into a cylinder jacket are butt-welded. A circular base and a circular cover are then placed on the cylinder jacket and the edges are flanged. In order to obtain a higher strength against indentation for the tinplate in question, z. B. all three parts, ie the cylinder jacket, the bottom and the cover preferably a

Wave profile.

An aerosol can, also known as a spray can, is a metal can for spraying liquids. In an aerosol can, the filled liquid is under pressure, z as the propellant for dispensing the liquid in question from the can in question. B. propane, butane, dimethyl ether or mixtures thereof or compressed air or nitrogen is used.

The aforementioned WO 2012/148576 A1 describes a device for decorating cans, an arrangement of a plurality of printing units, each with an inking unit, being provided for multi-colored decoration of a large number of cans. Each of the inking units belonging to one of the printing units each has a color box for providing printing ink, one in each color box

Ink fountain roller is provided for receiving the printing ink from the ink fountain in question. Each inking unit is provided with an inking unit, the inking unit receiving printing ink from the ink fountain roller in question, with the inking unit following the inking unit in the inking unit concerned

Single-drum roller and a plurality of color-changing rollers and several ink-transfer rollers interacting with at least one of the ink-roller rollers are provided. For each inking unit there is in each case a plate cylinder with at least one printing plate, only one inking roller interacting with the respective plate cylinder for applying the printing ink.

A device for decorating cans is known from US Pat. No. 4,741,266 several dyeing stations and plate cylinder devices, each of the

Plate cylinder means is driven separately from a main gear, the main gear being associated with a pressure roller means so as to be completely independent of the roller drive means of each dyeing station.

WO 2018/015 134 A1 discloses a device for decorating hollow bodies, with at least one plate cylinder and with an inking unit, in particular in the form of a short inking unit, with an inking roller set on the plate cylinder in question or at least adjustable, and one for the inking roller

Ink application roller employed or at least employable anilox roller, the ink application roller and the anilox roller each having their own drive for their respective rotation. Likewise, the plate cylinder, one with it

interacting blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder each have their own drive for their respective rotation. The respective speeds of the plate cylinder, blanket cylinder, impression cylinder, inking roller and anilox roller are coordinated with each other in terms of control technology.

WO 2004/109581 A2 describes a device for carrying out a contactless digital printing method, e.g. B. an inkjet printing process known to print round objects, in particular two-piece cans, as needed without using a printing blanket, preferably a plurality of print heads are provided, each printing a single printing ink.

DE 10 2006 004 568 A1 discloses a short inking unit for a printing press, comprising a printing form cylinder, an inking roller which interacts with the printing form cylinder and an anilox roller which contacts the inking roller and to which a device for ink supply is assigned, at least one leveling roller being located between the location of the ink supply and the contact gap between the

Anilox roller and the inking roller, based on the direction of rotation of the anilox roller, is arranged, wherein the device for ink supply is designed as a chamber doctor blade.

DE 101 60 734 A1 discloses a printing press which has at least one printing form, a dampening unit for moistening the printing form with a dampening solution, an inking unit for coloring the printing form with a printing ink and one

Dehumidifying device with a heating roller (tempering roller) for reducing a portion of the fountain solution conveyed together with the printing ink, the inking unit being designed as a lifeless short inking unit, an inking unit roller of the inking unit having a first rolling contact point at which the inking unit roller is in rolling contact with the heating roller , the inking roller a second

Has roll contact point and a shortest conveying path of the printing ink from the inking roller to the printing form is predetermined by at most one intermediate roller.

From DE 32 32 780 A1, an inking unit for offset printing machines for printing sheets or webs with a plate cylinder is known, which receives the required color from at most two inking rollers with an elastic surface, which interact with an ink cylinder, to which the ink is fed via an ink feed system is, which produces a continuous color film, wherein the color cylinder

Ink application roller with almost the same diameter as the plate cylinder

is subordinate, wherein the ink cylinder is assigned a dampening unit with at least one roller transferring the dampening solution and wherein the transfer of the dampening solution to the ink cylinder takes place in the same direction of rotation after the ink application and before its contact point with the ink application roller.

DE 10 2006 048 286 A1 describes a method for driving a printing unit with a short inking unit in a processing machine with an anilox roller and an associated doctor device and one downstream of the anilox roller

Ink application roller known, which in the ink flow direction a plate / form cylinder is subordinate, the plate / forme cylinder with a blanket cylinder and the blanket cylinder with a printing cylinder leading the printing material in

There is an active connection, the anilox roller being driven by a single drive, in the printing / coating operation from the main drive an input to a drive wheel of the printing cylinder and a drive wheel of the blanket cylinder and a second and first drive wheel of the plate / form cylinder and a drive wheel of the inking roller and a Drive wheel of the anilox roller is fed, the individual drive of the

Anilox roller is inactive, and the drive connection to

Main drive between the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel of the plate /

Form cylinder is separated, the individual drive of the anilox roller is activated and by means of individual drive a drive torque on the drive wheel of the anilox roller and that

Drive wheel of the inking roller and the first drive wheel of the plate / forme cylinder is introduced.

DE 196 24 440 A1 discloses a device for filling depressions in a cylinder of a printing press with a liquid, at least two doctor blades being arranged on the cylinder for filling depressions in the cylinder with the liquid, one of which is connected to a conveyor system

Application device for the liquid and a working squeegee arranged downstream of this in the direction of rotation of the cylinder are provided, the squeegees being fastened to a bar, the scraped-off liquid being drained off to a collecting trough.

DE 89 12 194 U1 discloses an inking unit for use in a printing press with a working doctor blade which can be set on an anilox roller and an ink tray with ink conveying means, the working doctor blade, the ink tray and the means for conveying the ink to the anilox roller being combined to form a unit and the assembly is releasably attachable to a support mounted on the printing press.

From DE 10 2007 052 761 A1 an anilox printing unit is known, which as Inking unit rollers has an inking roller and an anilox roller, the anilox roller being mounted on pivoting levers, the anilox roller and the

Ink application roller each have bearer rings, wherein a device arranged to press the bearer rings of the one on the bearer rings of the other inking unit device springs to compensate for manufacturing tolerance-related

Has diameter differences.

DE 28 51 426 A1 is a device for printing one at a time

The outer surface of hollow bodies is known, a transport device transporting the hollow bodies to be printed about an axis of rotation being provided, with a plurality of printing units being provided, each hollow body to be printed being transportable with the transport device into a printing area of at least one of the printing units, at least one of the printing units being one Printing form cylinder and an inking unit with a single inking roller.

From US 2010/0282402 A1 it is known to use a torque motor in a marking or labeling machine.

US 2010/0313771 A1 discloses a rotary printing machine for printing containers, a carousel carrying a chuck being provided, the carousel being rotatably driven by an electric motor with an integrated rotary encoder.

EP 1 132 207 A1 discloses a transfer device for hollow bodies to be printed or already printed in a printing press, such as sleeves, tubes, cans or the like, with a transfer rotor with its direction of rotation

successively arranged holding units is provided, the holding units defining receiving locations for releasable holding of hollow bodies to be transferred, the holding units using vacuum holding means for holding the hollow bodies during the Dispose of the transfer process.

US 2001/0039889 A1 discloses a device for rotary printing, comprising: a) a conveyor belt which contains a plurality of pockets which hold a plurality of pill-shaped objects such as capsules and caplets; b) a distance from the conveyor belt by a predetermined or relative distance

Print roller that prints a strip of indicia on each of the pill-shaped articles, covering a range of 0 ° to 360 ° of a circumference each

include pill-shaped article; and c) organs to adjust the predetermined or relative distance between the platen and the conveyor belt to change a length of the strip of indicia printed on the pill-shaped articles.

US 2015/0336750 A1 discloses a feed device for feeding can bodies to a can body decorating device, the

Feeder device comprises: a) a conveyor which transports can bodies from an upstream supplier; b) a rotating mandrel wheel, which each

Receives can body in a pocket on the wheel circumference, the can bodies are fed undecorated; c) the device comprising one or more turrets with circular division; d) a separating turret which separates each can body received by the conveyor, whereby the linear can division on the conveyor is converted into a circular can division on the feed turret (s); e) wherein the device is characterized by a transfer turret for transferring the can body to the mandrel wheel and by a circular division which corresponds to the division of the mandrel wheel, whereby the can stability during loading is increased and whereby the can division between the conveyor and the mandrel wheel in one or several levels is changed.

WO 2018/013465 A1 describes a decorator with a mandrel wheel, a Segment wheel, a transfer wheel and a transport chain known, the mandrel wheel, the segment wheel, the transfer wheel and the transport chain each having a motor and a decoder, wherein a controller is provided, the controller, based on information obtained from the decoders, the respective speed adapts or adjusts the mandrel wheel, the segment wheel, the transfer disc and the transport chain.

The invention has for its object a device for printing on

To create hollow bodies with which a high print quality can be achieved by a high positioning accuracy of their rotating components involved in the printing process.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments and refinements of the solution found.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below. Advantages achievable with the invention are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiment.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a device for printing or for decorating one

Shell surfaces having hollow surfaces;

FIG. 2 shows an inking unit in particular for the device shown in FIG. 1 in a first operating position;

3 shows the inking unit, in particular for the device shown in FIG. 1, in a second operating position; 4 shows a chambered doctor blade system in particular for the inking unit shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

5 shows a plate changer in a first operating position;

6 shows the plate changer of FIG. 5 in a second operating position;

7 shows a storage device for printing blankets;

FIG. 8 shows a device for a vertical transport of the storage device according to FIG. 7;

Fig. 9 shows a device for horizontal transport of one of each

Printing blankets between the storage device according to FIG. 7 and a mounting location on a segment wheel in the device according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 10, the storage device of Fig. 7 in its for the vertical

Transport provided facility arranged operating state;

Fig. 1 1 the device for horizontal transport of one of each

9 in cross section with a spatula set up for removing a used printing blanket from the segment wheel;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the device for a horizontal

Transport of one of the printing blankets according to FIG. 9 with the spatula installed;

13 shows the device for printing or for decorating one each Sheathed hollow bodies according to FIG. 1 with a

schematic representation of the segments of the segment wheel;

14 shows a perspective individual illustration of the segment wheel with its shaft;

15 shows a perspective individual illustration of the drive which rotates the segment wheel;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the segment wheel with its drive in the

Device for printing on hollow bodies arranged state;

17 shows the segment wheel with interchangeable segments;

18 shows a single interchangeable segment;

19 shows the device for printing on hollow bodies with several individual drives;

FIG. 20 shows a detail from FIG. 19 relating to feeding the hollow bodies; FIG.

21 shows a schematic illustration of a drive concept for a feed wheel and a mandrel wheel;

22 a suction device cooperating with the feed wheel.

Printing in particular the outer surface of a hollow body with a z. B.

In a preferred embodiment, multi-colored print motif, ie at least one print image, is carried out in a high-pressure process. Alternative or additional printing methods are e.g. B. a screen printing process or an offset printing process or a printing formless digital printing process. In the following the invention is exemplified in connection with describes an indirect high-pressure process in which printing ink is first applied to a printing blanket and only from there onto the outer surface of a hollow body. To carry out this special high-pressure process, a printing block is arranged as a printing form on a lateral surface of a plate cylinder, which is why this cylinder is sometimes also referred to as a printing block cylinder, in particular if that

Printing cliché z. B. is arranged on a sleeve mounted on the cylinder or will. The more general term “printing form cylinder” used in the following basically includes both embodiments, i. H. the classic version as

Plate cylinder as well as the design as a "cliché cylinder". That for the

Printing process ready-to-use printing block is a printing form with a printing relief, this printing relief being the printing image provided for the printing process of the indirect high-pressure process, in contrast to the classic, i.e. H. reproduces direct high-pressure processes without mirroring, in a trouble-free printing operation only the printing relief is involved in the transfer of the printing ink supplied to the plate cylinder from the inking unit onto at least one printing blanket interacting with this plate cylinder.

The printing form to be mounted on a plate cylinder or the printing plate has a plate-shaped, preferably flexible carrier of finite length, for. B. from a steel sheet, wherein a particularly flexible pressure body is arranged on this carrier. At least in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder

opposite ends of the carrier can e.g. B. pre-bent or angled according to the curvature of the lateral surface of the plate cylinder in order to enable easier mounting of the printing form, ie here in particular the printing plate on the plate cylinder. The support of the printing form or the printing plate has a thickness in the range of z. B. 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. The printing block including its support has a total thickness in the range of z. B. 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably about 0.8 mm. The pressure body is e.g. B. formed from a plastic. The pressure body is used for the production of the printing plate z. B. exposed with a negative film reproducing the printed image, unexposed areas subsequently from the pressure body z. B. removed by washing or using a laser become.

A device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies, preferably each having a preferably cylindrical outer surface, preferably has a plurality of, for. B. eight or ten or more printing units - also called printing stations - on, at least one of these printing units, in the preferred

Design all these printing units each have a rotatable printing form cylinder, in particular a printing form cylinder designed as a plate cylinder. The printing units or printing stations and possibly also the printing form cylinders in this device are each mounted in a frame and can be in the same

Printing process are used to form a multi-colored print motif on the same hollow body in accordance with the number of printing units or printing form cylinders involved. The storage of the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder is preferably carried out at both ends, but it can also be designed as a flying bearing, in which the printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder in question only on one of its end faces, for. B. is mounted on a preferably conical pin. On the outer surface of each plate cylinder is i. d. R. only arranged a single printing block, the carrier of the printing block the scope of the relevant

Plate cylinder completely or at least for the most part, especially spanned by more than 80%. A length of the printing body of the printing plate directed in the circumferential direction of the relevant plate cylinder is preferably shorter than that

Circumferential length of the plate cylinder in question. The printing form or the printing plate is, in particular, magnetically arranged or at least can be arranged on the lateral surface of each plate cylinder by means of its carrier, i. H. the printing form or printing block is preferably magnetic there, i. H. held by a magnetic holding force. In an alternative or additional embodiment variant of the device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies, each having a preferably cylindrical outer surface, at least one of the

Printing units or several of these printing units are each as one in one Digital printing process formed printing unit without printing form, such a printing unit in particular having at least one inkjet print head or a laser.

The particularly simultaneous transfer of several printing inks, in particular to the outer surface of the hollow body in question, requires that this color transfer takes place in register in order to achieve good printing quality in the printing process. For a register-oriented arrangement of the printing form or the printing plate on the outer surface of the relevant printing form cylinder or plate cylinder, in the preferred embodiment, on the outer surface of the relevant printing form cylinder or

Plate cylinder preferably several z. B. in their respective positions

adjustable dowel pins are provided which engage in corresponding recesses formed on the printing form or on the printing plate and thereby give the printing form or the printing plate a defined position there or in its arrangement on the lateral surface of the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder in question. In particular, a page register of the printing form or the printing plate on a z. B. cut side edge of this printing form or this printing plate and a circumferential register of this printing form or this printing plate can be aligned at a stop. In a preferred embodiment, each printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder has a diameter in the range between 100 mm and 150 mm, in particular between 120 mm and 130 mm. B. between 200 mm and 250 mm, in particular between 200 mm and 220 mm. The printing plate to be arranged on the outer surface of the plate cylinder in question has a width in the axial direction of the plate cylinder in question in the range from 150 mm to 200 mm, preferably about 175 mm.

Each of the z. B. designed as a plate cylinder

With its printing form or printing plate, each printing plate cylinder transfers a specific printing ink to a printing blanket. The printing inks used it is usually premixed, especially order-specific special colors, which are matched in terms of their respective printability in a special way to the material of the hollow body to be printed, depending on whether a surface z. B. is printed from aluminum, a tinplate or a plastic. In a preferred embodiment of a device for printing or for decorating z. B. a cylindrical outer surface having hollow bodies is a printing ink of the

Printing form or the printing block provided on the lateral surface of the hollow body in question. This printing ink-transferring device is preferably designed as a segment wheel rotating about an in particular horizontal axis, with on the periphery of this segment wheel, i. H. preferably several, e.g. B. eight, ten, twelve or more

Printing blankets are arranged or at least can be arranged. As an alternative to the segment wheel, depending on the printing method used, the printing ink transfer device can also be designed as a decoration drum or as a printing blanket cylinder or as a transfer cylinder, which can be rotated about an axis of rotation at least during printing. The arrangement of the printing blankets on the circumference of the

So far, the segment wheel has been achieved in that the printing blankets on the circumference of the

Segment wheel each z. B. are attached by a material connection, preferably by an adhesive. The preferably several printing form cylinders or

Plate cylinders are in each case placed radially on the printing blankets arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel in question, or at least can be adjusted. In a particularly preferred embodiment of a device for printing or for decorating a z. B. cylindrical outer surface having hollow bodies along the circumference of the segment wheel, a larger number of printing blankets are arranged one behind the other than in each case radially adjusted or at least adjustable printing plate cylinders or plate cylinders are provided on the segment wheel. The preferably carousel-like printing device, in particular the segment wheel has a diameter of z. B. 1,400 mm to 1,600 mm, preferably about 1,520 mm to 1,525 mm, and has z. B. eight assigned printing form cylinders or Plate cylinders on its circumference one behind the other z. B. on twelve blankets. The surface of each printing plate is preferably designed with a greater hardness than the hardness of the respective surface of the printing blankets. The surface of the printing blankets is preferably flat, ie without a profiling. In an operating state in which the printing form cylinders or plate cylinders involved in the printing process are each positioned radially on the printing blankets of the rotatably driven segment wheel, the respective printing forms of these printing form cylinders or the respective printing clichés of these plate cylinders roll on the printing blankets moved with the segment wheel, whereby the printing blocks at least press their relief into the respective blanket. An intensity of the indentation is e.g. B. before or at the start of a printing process z. B. by remote control by setting a pressure force exerted by the relevant printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder on the printing blanket of the segment wheel in question or is set in this way.

The hollow body to be printed here, e.g. B. those to be printed

Two-part cans, z. B. by means of a hollow body to be printed preferably along at least part of a circular path, d. H. an arc around a

Transport device transporting the axis of rotation, preferably by means of at least one feed wheel, in particular by means of a mandrel wheel, continuously or in a set cycle to at least one of the printing units belonging to the device for printing on a lateral surface of hollow bodies and thus transported into a printing area of at least one of these printing units. In particular, the hollow body to be printed is transported to at least one of the z. B. brought up on the segment wheel arranged blankets, or the hollow bodies to be printed are each directly and immediately by means of this transport device, ie without the aid of a z. B. trained as a segment wheel printing ink transferring device in the respective printing area of at least one of these printing units, which, for. B. is the case if the one in question Printing unit in a direct printing process, e.g. B. prints in an inkjet printing process.

That like e.g. B. the segment wheel also around a preferably horizontal axis rotating feed wheel or mandrel wheel concentric to its circumferential line in preferably equidistant distribution several, z. B. 24 or 36 holding devices - short: holder - z. B. each in the form of an end face of the mandrel wheel

cantilever mandrel or a spindle, each of which holds one of the hollow bodies to be printed or at least can be held by each holder. A transport device designed as a mandrel wheel is sometimes also referred to as a turntable with spindles. A mandrel wheel is e.g. B. described in EP 1 165 318 A1. A description of suitable holders, spindles or mandrels can be found, for. B. in WO 2011/156052 A1. In the following, each mandrel is briefly referred to as a mandrel. A longitudinal axis of each dome is parallel to the axis of the

Mandrelrades directed. In the case of z. B. designed as a two-piece box to be printed hollow bodies, each of these hollow bodies z. B. by means of a

Conveyor, e.g. B. a belt conveyor and / or a conveyor wheel to which, for. B. introduced as a mandrel wheel transport device and there at one

Transfer station z. B. by suction sucking on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel and then held by the mandrel in question, while the transport device designed as a mandrel wheel the respective hollow body to be printed z. B. to the segment wheel with at least one blanket and thus transported in the direction of at least one of the printing units or in an alternative embodiment z. B. transported directly to at least one of the printing units without a segment wheel. I. d. In general, the mandrel wheel with the conveyor device is supplied in rapid succession with a larger amount of hollow bodies to be printed. A conveyor is e.g. B. described in EP 1 132 207 A1.

Between an inner wall of the respective hollow body to be printed and the surface of the relevant dome of the mandrel wheel is preferably a gap with a Width of less than 1 mm, e.g. B. of 0.2 mm, so that the hollow body to be printed is not held by pressing on the mandrel in question. Each mandrel can be rotated almost smoothly around its respective longitudinal axis. Each of the mandrels is driven by a driving means interacting with the respective mandrel, e.g. B. is adjusted to a certain peripheral speed by means of friction or is at least adjustable in such a way that each hollow body to be printed which is held by a mandrel can be rotated in addition to the rotation of the mandrel wheel by a rotation which is independently carried out or at least executable by the mandrel. The hollow body to be printed is slipped onto one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel preferably during a standstill phase of the dome in question, the mandrel in question making no rotational movement about its own longitudinal axis during its standstill phase. The occupancy of each dome with a hollow body to be printed is preferably checked, for. B. contactless with a sensor. If a dome is not occupied with a hollow body to be printed, the mandrel wheel is z. B. moved such that contact of the relevant free dome and possibly a few more mandrels with a blanket of the segment wheel is reliably avoided.

Two-part cans to be printed are z. B. for Mandrelrad in a processing station upstream of the Mandrelrad, z. B. deep drawn from a blank. In a further processing station, the edge of each two-part box is trimmed on its open face. Each box of two is in another

Processing stations z. B. washed, especially washed out the inside, optionally the inner wall and the bottom of the two-part box in question are also painted. At least the outer surface of each two-part box is z. B. primed, especially with a white primer. After printing on its lateral surface, each two-part box is z. B. on Mandrelrad z. B. removed by compressed air or by a preferably switchable magnet and supplied to at least one mandrel wheel downstream processing station, for. B. a painting station for painting the outer surface of each printed Two-part box and / or an edge processing station. The printed two-part cans in particular pass through a dryer, e.g. B. a hot air dryer to the

harden at least one printing ink applied to their respective outer surface.

The printing process for printing in particular the respective lateral surface of e.g. B. on the mandrel wheel held hollow bodies, in particular two-piece cans, begins with all the printing inks required for the print image to be printed on the respective outer surface of the hollow body in each case, for. B. from the respective printing cliché of the z. B. plate cylinder employed on the segment wheel are applied to the same by one of the printing blankets arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel. The printing blanket in question, inked in this way with all the necessary printing inks, then transfers these printing inks in a contact between the printing blanket and the outer surface of the hollow body to be printed, simultaneously during a single rotation of the hollow body to be printed held on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel about its longitudinal axis on the outer surface of this hollow body. During the transfer of the printing inks from the printing blanket to the outer surface of the hollow body, the z. B. held by one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel to be printed hollow body with an equal peripheral speed as the relevant z. B. arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel blanket. The respective peripheral speeds of the hollow body and blanket or segment wheel are therefore synchronized with each other, the z. B. held on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel to be printed hollow body in particular by a drive means acting on the relevant mandrel z. B. from its standstill in particular until reaching the peripheral speed z. B. the segment wheel is accelerated accordingly, the

Circumferential speed of the relevant mandrel of the mandrel wheel, preferably starting from a first point of contact of the hollow body to be printed with the relevant printing blanket during the rolling of its outer surface over a distance, for. B. from the first 50 mm of the circumferential length of the printing blanket with the

Circumferential speed of the segment wheel is synchronized. In the preferred Execution gives the relevant blanket segment wheel the z. B. on the respective mandrel of the mandrel wheel circumferential speed to be set. The circumferential speed of the printing form cylinder carrying the printing form or of the plate cylinder carrying the printing plate is or is preferably dependent on the circumferential speed, for. B. the segment wheel. In the preferred embodiment, the mandrel wheel and the segment wheel are each individually driven by their own drive and by a control unit in their respective

Rotation behavior controlled or regulated.

In particular with reference to the previously described device for printing or for decoration, in particular each of a z. B. cylindrical surface

having hollow bodies are various examples below

Details explained. 1 shows a schematic representation, simplified and by way of example, of a generic device for printing or for decorating, in particular, each having a preferably cylindrical outer surface

Hollow bodies 01, e.g. B. second cans 01, these hollow body 01 with a

Conveyor sequentially the z. B. as rotating or at least rotatable

Feed wheel, in particular fed as a mandrel wheel 02 transport device and are individually held there on this holder on a holder. In the following, based on the selected embodiment for the printing press or the device for printing on hollow bodies, it is assumed that this transport device is preferably designed as a mandrel wheel 02. With the

Mandrelrad 02 preferably acts as a printing device, e.g. B. together a rotating or at least rotatable segment wheel 03, along the or the circumference of which several printing blankets are arranged one behind the other. In association with the segment wheel 03 mentioned by way of example, a plurality of printing form cylinders 04, in particular plate cylinders 04, are provided along its circumferential line, or at least can be set at this segment wheel 03, with a printing form, in particular a printing plate, on the respective lateral surface of this printing form cylinder 04 or plate cylinder 04 Printing cliché is arranged, this printing cliché being designed in particular to carry out a high-pressure process. Each of the printing form cylinders 04 or

For the inking of its printing form or printing plate, plate cylinder 04 is supplied with a specific printing ink by means of an inking unit 06. In the following it is assumed as an example that the printing form cylinders 04 are each designed as a plate cylinder 04 carrying at least one printing block.

2 and 3 show, in a simplified schematic representation, some details of the inking unit 06 each interacting with a plate cylinder 04, which, for. B. for use in the device shown in Fig. 1 for printing or for decoration, in particular of a preferably cylindrical outer surface having hollow bodies 01 is provided. The inking unit 06 proposed here advantageously has a very short, that is, the ink transport from a color reservoir to the plate cylinder 04 in question. H. from only a few, preferably a maximum of five rollers, in particular two-roller compactor. In the case of the two-roller single drum roller, this single roller roller consists of only one

Ink application roller 07 and an anilox roller 08. An inking unit 06 with a roller train consisting of a maximum of five rollers belongs to the genus of short inking units. Fig. 2 shows an example of a (short) inking unit 06 with a two-roller drum in a first operating position, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are placed against each other, the inking roller 07 is placed against the plate cylinder 04 and also the plate cylinder 04 radially against the printing ink from the plate cylinder 04 to the lateral surface of the respective hollow body 01 transmitting device, in particular to the

Segment wheel 03 are employed. 3, on the other hand, shows a second operating position for the inking unit 06 shown in FIG. 2, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are set apart from one another, the inking roller 07 is set off from the plate cylinder 04, and also the plate cylinder 04 from the device that transfers the ink, in particular are turned off by the segment wheel 03. On the arrival and

Parking mechanism will be discussed later. The plate cylinder 04 and the anilox roller 08 are z. B. each independently by a motor 11; 12 driven in rotation, in particular in the inking unit 06 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the motor 11; 12 z. B. in its respective speed of a z. B. electronic control unit in particular regulated or at least controllable. The z. B. trained as a segment wheel 03

The ink-transferring device is driven in rotation by its own drive. The inking roller 07 is or is rotatably driven by the anilox roller 08 by friction. In the preferred embodiment, an outer diameter d07 of the inking roller 07 and an outer diameter d04 of the at least one printing form, in particular at least one plate cylinder 04 carrying printing plate, are of the same amount. At least one printing block is arranged or at least can be arranged on the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04, so that in the embodiment with the same outer diameters d04; d07 the plate cylinder 04 carrying the printing block and the inking roller 07 each have an identical circumferential length. In the preferred embodiment are in the first operating position of the inking unit 06 cooperating with the plate cylinder 04, in which the inking roller 07 and the

Anilox roller 08 are placed next to each other, the inking roller 07 is placed on the plate cylinder 04 and also the plate cylinder 04 is placed on the segment wheel 03, at least the respective centers of the plate cylinder 04, the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are arranged along the same straight line G. To detect the rotation of the inking roller 07, a detection device for. B. in the form of a rotary encoder, which rotary encoder is in particular rigidly connected to a shaft of the inking roller 07. That from the encoder when the

The inking roller 07 generated signal is used by the control unit to adjust the speed of the inking roller 07 by means of the rotation of the anilox roller 08 or, if necessary, to adjust it in such a way that a synchronization between the plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07 occurs or is set so that the peripheral speed of the inking roller 07 with the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 04 coincides within previously defined permissible tolerance limits. To achieve this goal, it can be provided that the control unit, preferably during the adjustment phase carried out by it

Circumferential speed of the anilox roller 08 is set such that, compared with the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 04, in particular for a short time - and therefore not permanently - has a lead or lag. By designing the plate cylinder 04 and inking roller 07 with the same amount in each case

Circumferential length and by adjusting the synchronism between the plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07, the effect of the print quality is detrimental

Stenciling largely avoided. The drive concept described here with a friction-driven inking roller 07 also has the advantage that for the

Ink roller 07 own drive is not required, which saves costs and also because of the simpler mechanical construction z. B. facilitates replacement of the inking roller 07 during maintenance or repair work.

In its preferred embodiment, the ink application roller 07 has a closed, preferably rubberized outer surface. The anilox roller 08 has a z. B. with a ceramic coated outer surface, with a hash of z. B. 60, 80 or 100 lines per centimeter axial length of the anilox roller 08 or a well structure is formed. In order to enable the largest possible amount of printing ink to be fed into the roller train of the inking unit 06 with the anilox roller 08 with each of its revolutions, the outer diameter d08 of the anilox roller 08 is preferably larger than the outer diameter d07 of the inking roller 07. The anilox roller 08 should accordingly have the largest possible funding volume. 2, the respective direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03, the plate cylinder 04, the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are each indicated by an arrow indicating the direction of rotation.

In the preferred embodiment, at least the anilox roller 08 has one Temperature control device, with the help of which the outer surface of the anilox roller 08 is tempered. The tempering device of the anilox roller 08 works z. B. with an introduced into the interior of the anilox roller 08 tempering fluid, the tempering fluid z. B. is water or another liquid coolant. With the tempering device of the anilox roller 08, the delivery volume of the anilox roller 08 can be influenced, since this influences the viscosity of the printing ink to be transported by the inking unit 06. The delivery volume of the anilox roller 08 and the viscosity of the printing ink to be transported by the inking unit 06 in turn ultimately influence a color density of the printing ink to be applied to the cylindrical outer surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed. A thickness of a color film to be applied to the cylindrical outer surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed and formed by the printing ink is, for. B. less than 10 pm, in particular in a range from about 2 pm to 3 pm.

The color reservoir of the inking unit 06 is e.g. B. designed as a chamber doctor blade system 09 acting in conjunction with the anilox roller 08. Advantageously, in this chamber doctor blade system 09, at least one ink pan, a doctor bar, which is positioned parallel to the anilox roller 08 or at least adjustable, and preferably also a pump for conveying the printing ink, form a single structural unit. Here is this

Chamber doctor blade system 09 in the inking unit 06, d. H. on a frame of the inking unit 06, preferably only on one side, e.g. B. held or stored by a suspension, so that this unit in a simple manner after its release from the frame of the inking unit 06 laterally, d. H. by a movement parallel to the anilox roller 08, z. B. can be removed by pulling a handle arranged on this unit from the inking unit 06 and is therefore interchangeable. This unit of the chambered doctor blade system 09 preferably forms a cantilever arm on a side frame of the inking unit 06. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the chambered doctor blade system 09 designed as a single unit in cooperation with the anilox roller 08 of the inking unit 06.

After the anilox roller 08 printing ink from the ink reservoir, ie in particular from the Chamber squeegee system 09 has taken up, the anilox roller 08 transports them

Printing ink directly and directly or via further rollers of the roller train belonging to the inking unit 06 to the preferably only one inking roller 07. In one in the direction of rotation of the anilox roller 08, that of the anilox roller 08

Chamber doctor blade system 09 following area between the chamber doctor blade system 09 and the inking roller 07, a rider roller 13 is preferably placed on the anilox roller 08 or at least adjustable to improve the ink transport of the anilox roller 08. The rider roller 13 is arranged axially parallel to the anilox roller 08. The rider roller 13 is not considered to belong to the roller train of the inking unit 06, since it does not transfer any printing ink from the anilox roller 08 to another roller. The from the anilox roller 08 z. B. rotationally driven rider roller 13 has z. B. on a rubberized outer surface. The rider roller 13 attached to the anilox roller 08 sucks a part of the printing ink taken up by the anilox roller 08 from the chamber doctor blade system 09 from the hash or the cups of the anilox roller 08 when it rolls on the outer surface of the anilox roller 08 and at least partially applies this printing ink to the outer surface of the Anilox roller 08 trained webs. As a result, the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 causes the anilox roller 08 to deliver a larger amount of printing ink to the inking roller 07. In another episode at a z. B. a tempering device having anilox roller 08 also improves the effectiveness of a control of the ink density in that the rolling on the anilox roller 08 rider roller 13 contributes to the provision of a larger amount of printing ink. Irrespective of the specific design of the anilox roller 08, that is to say with or without a temperature control device, the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 thus reduces both density differences that can arise due to manufacturing tolerances of the anilox roller 08 and the risk of the hash or cup of the anilox roller 08 being visible on the printing material, ie here on the lateral surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed, due to an ink application that is at least in places too low. In a very advantageous embodiment of the device for printing on hollow bodies, z. B. for each printing plate cylinder, in particular plate cylinder 04, a plate changer 14 is provided, with which the printing plate for the printing plate cylinder in question or the printing plate for the plate cylinder 04 in question within z. B. the device in question for printing or for decorating a particular cylindrical

Hollow bodies 01 having the outer surface can preferably be exchanged automatically. 5 and 6 show a preferred representation in a perspective view

Execution of a very advantageously designed plate changer 14 in two

different operating positions for executing a z. B. at one

Production changeover in a very short set-up time, preferably automated, reliable and preferably also register-compliant plate change or printing plate change. Fig. 5 shows a first operating position, in the axially laterally next to the printing unit on the printing form cylinder or plate changer 14 z. B. a printing plate can be presented or removed from the plate changer 14. Fig. 6 shows a second operating position in which directly in front of the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 along this from the plate changer 14 z. B. a printing block directly on the assigned

Plate cylinder 04 placed or a printing plate removed from plate cylinder 04 and removed with plate changer 14 in its first operating position. The plate changer 14 has a particularly flat, z. B. table-shaped support surface 16 on which z. B. arranged on the plate cylinder 04 or

printing cliché to be arranged can preferably be placed completely. The support surface 16 is preferably arranged to be bidirectionally movable, that is to say movable back and forth, linearly along a transport path, in particular along the axis of rotation of the associated printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04, between at least two defined positions. In a first position of the support surface 16 located laterally next to the printing unit, the plate changer 14 assumes its first operating position, in a second position of the support surface 16 located directly in front of the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 along its length in its second operating position. In the first operating position, the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 is at least partially in front of an end face of the relevant printing form cylinder or

Plate cylinder 04. In the second operating position, the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 is preferably at least partially below the lateral surface of the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04. The movement of the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 takes place, for. B. along a longitudinal to the printing form cylinder or

Plate cylinder 04 arranged traverse 17. The support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 thus has an axial travel path with respect to the printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 in question. To which the first or the second operating position of the

Plate changer 14 defining positions is the movement of the support surface 16 z. B. each limited by a stop. At least the carrier of the concerned

Printing clichés is e.g. B. formed by a trimming, in particular using registration marks, in such a way that the printing block in question can be arranged in register on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14. For this purpose, at least two edges of the carrier of the printing block in question, which are arranged at a right angle to one another, are brought into contact with one another

Support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 arranged, in particular from

Register pins formed stops, wherein a first edge of the support of the printing plate in question abuts a first register pin and a second edge of the support of the printing plate in question orthogonal to the first edge abuts a second register pin, one of these two register pins being changeable and preferably adjustable in its position . By adjusting the position of the register pin, z. B. the relevant printing plate can be aligned. The position of the register pin, which can be changed in its position, can be done manually or automatically. Because the printing cliché the

Plate cylinder 04 is supplied in register, is on the plate cylinder 04 z. B. no centering pin and no other register device provided.

In its preferred embodiment, the plate changer 14 has, in addition to the contact surface 16 to accommodate a z. B. the plate cylinder 04 in particular to be fed printing clichés z. B. a subject in which, for. B. a removed from the plate cylinder 04 printing block. A z. B. by means of its carrier, in particular magnetically held on the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 concerned printing plate is z. B. by means of a tool guided tangentially to the printing form, e.g. B. by means of between the support of the printing plate and the

Shell surface of the relevant plate cylinder 04 guided spatula from the

The lateral surface of the relevant plate cylinder 04 is lifted off or at least can be lifted off from there. The one end of the printing plate in question lifted off the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question is inserted into the relevant compartment of the plate cylinder 04 by rotating the plate cylinder 04 in question. By continuing this rotation of the plate cylinder 04 in question, the entire printing block released from the outer surface of the plate cylinder 04 concerned is then pushed into the relevant compartment of the plate changer 14.

A printing plate to be fed to the relevant plate cylinder 04, preferably in register, is held on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14, in particular after its register-oriented alignment, by a magnetic holding force. It is at least one stamp, preferably two stamps arranged at a distance in the longitudinal direction of the plate cylinder 04 in question, each with a direction opposed to the magnetic holding force, to the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14, e.g. B. essentially orthogonal direction of action is provided, with which at least one stamp at least one end facing the plate cylinder 04 in question of the printing plate held on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 can be detached from this support surface 16 and due to a lifting movement of the at least one

Stamp can be transferred to the relevant plate cylinder 04. The at least one stamp is z. B. pneumatically operated or is at least operable in this way. Magnets are used to hold the printing form or the printing plate on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 or on the outer surface of the plate cylinder 04. these magnets are preferably each designed as a permanent magnet. The previously described configuration of the plate cylinder 04 has the advantage that a conveyor device for transferring the printing plate to the relevant one

Plate cylinder 04 or for removing the printing plate from the plate cylinder 04 in question is not required and the plate changer 14 is therefore very much

can be realized inexpensively. In particular, a plate change can be carried out automatically using the plate changer 14 described above.

The respective engagement and / or shutdown of printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04, inking roller 07 and / or anilox roller 08 and / or an adjustment of a contact force exerted by them is carried out using an example of the engagement and shutdown mechanism shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which will now be described in more detail. In the preferred embodiment, the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 is mounted, in particular, at both ends on a load arm of a preferably one-sided first lever arrangement 18 consisting of a force arm and the load arm, the force arm and the load arm of this first lever arrangement 18 arranged at an angle to the force arm being jointly arranged around an axis parallel to the Plate cylinder 04 directed first axis of rotation 19 are pivotable. In an operative connection to the power arm of the first lever arrangement 18, a first drive 21, preferably controllable by a control unit, is provided for exerting a torque about the first axis of rotation 19. B. arranged in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder, wherein when this first drive 21 is actuated, depending on the direction of its action, the printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 arranged on the load arm of this first lever arrangement 18 either by a

Printing blanket z. B. the segment wheel 03 is turned off or employed on the same. To limit the printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the printing blanket z. B. the segment wheel 03 applied pressure, for example, a first stop 22 is provided for the power arm of the first lever arrangement 18, by means of which a path covered by the pivoting movement of the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the segment wheel 03 is limited. With the first drive 21, the contact pressure exerted by the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the segment wheel 03 is set or at least adjustable.

In the preferred embodiment, the inking roller 07 is in particular both ends of a load arm, which consists of a power arm and the load arm

preferably one-sided second lever arrangement 23, the power arm and the load arm of this second lever arrangement 23 being pivotable together about the axis of rotation 19 directed parallel to the plate cylinder 04. Likewise, in the preferred embodiment, the anilox roller 08 is in particular supported at both ends on a load arm of a preferably one-sided third lever arrangement 24 consisting of a force arm and the load arm, the force arm and the load arm of this third lever arrangement 24 together around an axis of rotation parallel to the anilox roller 08 26 are pivotable, the second axis of rotation 26 of the third lever arrangement 24 being arranged on the second lever arrangement 23, the second axis of rotation 26 being formed in a stationary manner on the second lever arrangement 23. Arranged on the load arm of the first lever arrangement 18 is a preferably controllable second drive 27, which acts upon the force arm of the second lever arrangement 23 and by means of which the inking roller 07 can be set on or off the plate cylinder 04 depending on the direction of action of the second drive 27. On the load arm of the second lever arrangement 23, a preferably controllable third drive 28 is arranged when it is actuated on the force arm of the third lever arrangement 24, by means of which the anilox roller 08, preferably together with the chamber doctor system 09 depending on the direction of action of the third drive 28, can be set on the inking roller 07 or by this can be switched off. The second drive 27 and / or the third drive 28 are each z. B. also in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder. It can be provided that the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 z. B.

can be operated together and preferably also simultaneously or at least can be operated. The pivoting movement of the load arm of the second lever arrangement 23 is, for. B. by a preferably adjustable, in particular by an eccentric adjustable first stop system 29 limits, which also by the

Ink application roller 07 against the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 applied contact force is limited or at least limited. The pivoting movement of the load arm of the third lever arrangement 24 is, for. B. limited by a preferably adjustable, in particular adjustable by an eccentric second stop system 31, whereby the pressing force exerted by the anilox roller 08 against the inking roller 07 is limited or at least limited. Fig. 2 shows an example of a first operating state in which the first drive 21 and the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 are each not actuated or in their idle state, whereby the

Anilox roller 08 are applied to the inking roller 07 and the inking roller 07 to the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 and the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 to the segment wheel 03, respectively. Fig. 3 shows an example of a second operating state in which the first drive 21 and the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 are each actuated and thus in their respective working state, whereby the anilox roller 08 from the inking roller 07 and the inking roller 07 from

Printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 and the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 are each turned off by the segment wheel 03. The respective power arm and / or load arm of the three aforementioned lever arrangements 18; 23; 24 is or are each z. B. formed as a pair of opposed lever rods or side frame walls, between which either in the respective previously described assignment

Printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 or the inking roller 07 or the anilox roller 08 is arranged. The three aforementioned lever arrangements 18; 23; 24 are each arranged in different vertical planes spaced apart from one another, so that they do not interfere with one another in their respective pivotability.

As already described and shown in Fig. 13, are usually several, z. B. eight to twelve printing blankets 33, wherein in the printing process during the rotation of this segment wheel 03 about an axis of rotation 34 printing forms of the printing form cylinders or printing plates of the plate cylinder 04 on the roll off the printing blankets 33 with this segment wheel 03. While rolling, the printing clichés press, that is, at least their pressure relief z. B. 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm deep in the respective blanket 33, whereby the blankets one

Subject to wear and depending on their nature and in particular mechanical stress after a certain number of prints, e.g. B. must be replaced after 50,000 printed hollow bodies 01. If in a device having this segment wheel 03 for printing or for decorating hollow bodies 01, d. H. in a so-called decorator, in a mass production z. B. several hundred or even a few thousand pieces of this hollow body 01 per minute, z. B. between 1,500 and 3,000 pieces per minute, then the renewal of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 is very common, possibly every half hour or approximately every three-quarters of an hour. To the

Productivity of such a device for printing or decorating

To keep hollow bodies 01 high, it is advantageous to carry out the necessary replacement of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 with the shortest possible set-up time.

A device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is therefore advantageously provided in association with the segment wheel 03. In the preferred embodiment, each of these printing blankets 33 to be arranged on the segment wheel 03 is in each case on a preferably flat, plate-shaped metal carrier with a material thickness of z. B. 0.2 mm cohesive, in particular applied by gluing. The respective preferably magnetizable metal carrier is then together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it on one of the segments 32 on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 z. B. by at least one holding magnet provided there on the circumference for each blanket 33 or its support, in particular in the correct position. In order to support the correct position of the respective metal carrier on the relevant segment 32 on the circumference of the segment wheel 03, z. B. on the leading in the direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03 edge 37 of the respective metal carrier provided at an acute angle angled hanging leg 38, this hanging leg 38 in the arrangement of the respective metal carrier on one of the segments 32 on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 into one on the circumference thereof

Segment wheel 03 parallel to its axis of rotation 34 directed z. B. engages as a groove formed recess 36 and comes in particular form-fitting to an edge 39 of the relevant recess 36 leading in the direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03. The printing blankets 33 are each preferably designed as a rubber blanket. The direction of rotation of the

Segment wheel 03 is indicated in FIG. 13 by an arrow indicating the direction of rotation. The hollow bodies 01, which are guided by the mandrel wheel 02 rotating about the axis of rotation 41 on a mandrel to the segment wheel 03, are individually and in the printing process by a primarily radial movement of the mandrel in question

one after the other briefly, d. H. i. d. R. pressed for a single revolution of the hollow body 01 to be printed on the relevant printing blanket 33 in question.

The device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is preferably of modular construction and has - as exemplified in FIGS. 7 to 12 - modules such as. B. a storage device 42 for several, for. B. up to twelve printing blankets 33 (FIG. 7) and a device 43 for vertical transport of the aforementioned storage device 42 (FIG. 8) and a device 44 for horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and one Installation location on the segment wheel 03 (Fig. 9). FIG. 10 shows the storage device 42 in its device 43 provided for its vertical transport

arranged operating state. The storage device 42 has, in a preferably cuboid housing, a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored backwards, that is to say lying on its support, preferably in a horizontal orientation, or at least can be stored. B. at least as many compartments are provided as the associated segment wheel 03 on its circumference segments 32 for blankets 33rd having. The subjects are each z. B. open at least on one of its long sides in order to allow the respective blanket 33 to be fed or removed from the open side of the respective compartment. This storage device 42 is preferably on or on a carrier of the device 43 for the vertical transport thereof

Storage device 42 as a light, e.g. B. tool-free interchangeable module attached or at least attachable. The device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is, for. B. designed a lifting movement, the vertical travel z. B. is about 200 mm. The lifting movement of the device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is, for. B. by means of a

preferably carried out by an electric motor driven trapezoidal screw. In order to transport the individual printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and a mounting location on a segment 32 of the segment wheel 03, a device 44 is provided for the horizontal transport of these printing blankets 33. This device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 has z. B. a between two end points, in particular linearly movable carriage 46, with the carriage 46 a single blanket 33 is transported or is at least transportable. On from the storage device 42 automatically

removed printing blanket 33 is preferably on the carriage 46 lying back to a z. B. transported under the segment wheel 03 assembly location and picked up there by a segment 32 of the segment wheel 03. A blanket 33 to be removed from a segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 is preferably peeled off from the segment 32 in question with a spatula 47 placed on the segment 32 in question or at least employable there and removed from its removal location on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 e.g. B. transported on the slide 46 to the storage device 42, the spatula 47 employed at an acute angle or tangentially to the segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 in connection with a rotational movement of the segment wheel 03 directed against the spatula 47 in the preferred embodiment in particular magnetically held on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 of the relevant printing blanket 33 by the relevant segment 32 and thus stands out from the scope of this segment wheel 03. In Fig. 1 1, the spatula 47 is shown both in an operating position set on the relevant segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 and in a parked operating position, these operating positions being taken up alternatively.

The renewal or change of at least one of the scope of the

Segmented blankets 03 arranged printing blankets 33 is then preferably carried out as follows:

By means of its rotation, the segment wheel 03 conveys a printing blanket 33, which is arranged on its circumference, into an angular position at which the printing blanket 33 can be removed with the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33. The carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 travels along its travel path to the end point which is closest to the place of removal of the printing blanket 33 to be removed. This position of the carriage 46 is preferably monitored by sensors and / or by a first switching element 48, e.g. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch. Thereafter, the spatula 47 is preferably applied to the segment wheel 03 in the direction of rotation

trailing edge 37 of the metal support to be removed

Printing blanket 33 employed. By at least a brief rotary movement of the

Segment wheel 03 against his executed during the printing process

Direction of rotation, the printing blanket 33, which is preferably held magnetically on the circumference of the segment wheel 03, is peeled off from the circumference of this segment wheel 03, i. H. the metal support of the blanket 33 is lifted from its support on the segment wheel 03. Then the spatula 47 is again turned off from the circumference of the segment wheel 03. The blanket 33 detached from the relevant segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 then either falls directly into one due to gravity

Storage device for worn printing blankets 33 or by means of the slide 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 to this Storage device for worn printing blankets transported.

In at least one subject, preferably in all subjects for several new subjects

Storage device 42 provided for printing blankets 33 is in each case inserted a new printing blanket 33 adhered to a metal carrier, wherein this storage device 42 is preferably arranged in a raised upper position by the device 43 for its vertical transport. The carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between the

Storage device 42 and the mounting location on the segment wheel 03 is arranged below the compartment with the new printing blanket 33. By lowering this storage device 42 by the device 43 for vertical transport, the new printing blanket 33 is placed on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for horizontal transport. It is preferably sensory and / or by a second

Switching element 49, e.g. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch, monitors whether the new blanket 33 has actually been placed on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for horizontal transport. If this is not the case, an error message is issued. Otherwise, that is to say in the fault-free state, the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 moves along its travel path to the end point which is closest to the installation location of the new printing blanket 33, this position of the carriage 46 in turn preferably being sensory and / or is monitored by a third switching element 51, e.g. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch. The segment wheel 03 is already in an angular position suitable for receiving the new printing blanket 33, this angular position being e.g. B. is located at the base of the segment wheel 03 or in its vicinity. In the preferred embodiment, the new printing blanket 33 is aligned in its position at least in register by an impact against at least stop 52 before it is mounted on the circumference of the segment wheel 03. To move the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33, a drive is provided, this drive z. B. is designed as a compressed air cylinder. To do that To mount new printing blanket 33 on the circumference of segment wheel 03, this segment wheel 03 rotates in its direction of rotation carried out during the printing process and thereby takes up the new printing blanket 33 on its circumference. The carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 is then moved again to the storage device 42 for the plurality of new printing blankets 33 in order to

if necessary, to get another new printing blanket 33.

In order to reduce makeready times, it is advantageous to design a device for printing on hollow bodies 01 in such a way that this device has a segment wheel 03 which can be rotated about an axis of rotation 34, segment wheel 03 having a plurality of segments 32 on its circumference in succession for receiving a printing blanket 33 having at least one of the arranged on one of the segments 32

Printing blankets 33 is arranged on the hollow body 01 to be printed in a rolling manner or at least in a rolling manner. In this case, a plurality of printing units are provided, at least one of the printing units being set on at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel 03, or at least being set up. At least one of the printing units has a printing form cylinder 04, with a plate changer 14 for automatically changing a printing form being arranged on this printing form cylinder 04 in association with the relevant printing form cylinder 04 and with a device for automatically changing at least one of the am in association with the segment wheel 03 Scope of this segment wheel 03 arranged blankets 33 is arranged. The plate changer 14 preferably has a support surface 16 on which the printing form to be arranged or arranged on the printing form cylinder 04 can be placed or at least placed, whereby this support surface 16 can be moved bidirectionally along a transport path between at least two defined positions. The printing form cylinder 04 to be supplied is z. B. held by a magnetic holding force on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14. The device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is, in particular, of modular construction, with a storage device 42 for modules has a plurality of printing blankets 33 and a device 43 for the vertical transport of this storage device 42 and a device 44 for the horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03. The storage device 42 has a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other in a housing, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored or at least can be stored. The printing blankets 33 are each stored in the storage device 42, preferably lying backwards and / or in a horizontal orientation. The device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is, for. B. designed to perform a lifting movement and / or the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 has a carriage 46 which can be moved bidirectionally between two end points, with the carriage 46 in each case being used to transport or at least transportable a single printing blanket 33. The plate changer 14 and the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 are, for. B. each controlled by a control unit, the plate changer 14 and the device for automatically changing the

Printing blankets 33 each z. B. are active at the same time, d. H. carry out their respective change of a printing form or of a printing blanket 33 during the same production interruption of this device for printing on hollow bodies 01. The on that

Printing form cylinder 04 to be arranged printing form is on the bearing surface 16 of the

Plate changer 14 with respect to its mounting position on the printing form cylinder 04 preferably arranged in register and / or the printing blanket 33 to be arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 is in the correct position on the slide 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 with regard to its mounting position on a segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 arranged. An inking unit 06 transporting printing ink to the printing form cylinder 04 is preferably designed as a short inking unit having an anilox roller 08.

With regard to a device for printing on hollow bodies 01, which has a segment wheel 03 rotatable about an axis of rotation 34, the segment wheel 03 being on its circumference has a plurality of segments 32 one behind the other for receiving a printing blanket 33, wherein at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on one of the segments 32 is arranged such that it rolls or at least unrolls on the hollow body 01 to be printed, adjacent segments 32 each having a parallel to the axis of rotation 34 of the segment wheel 03 directed recess 36 are separated from one another, it is also advantageous that each of the printing blankets 33 is each arranged on a plate-shaped metallic carrier, the carrier together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it as such being exchangeable as a whole on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 is arranged or at least can be arranged, wherein the carrier arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 is held on this segment 32 in a positive connection and / or in a non-positive connection. Each carrier of a printing blanket 33 is preferably bent at an acute angle on its edge 37 leading in the direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03, this bevel 38 in the operating state of this carrier arranged on a segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 on an edge 39 leading in the direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03 of the relevant am The circumference of the segment wheel 03 formed recess 36 is created, the bevel 38 of the carrier is arranged on this edge 39 of the recess 36 in a positive fit or at least can be arranged. The plate-shaped metallic carrier is particularly flexible and forms together with that on it

arranged blanket 33 z. B. a metal blanket. The carrier arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 is on this segment 32 by a

held magnetic force. On the circumference of the segment wheel 03 z. B. eight to twelve segments 32 each arranged to receive a blanket 33. In association with the segment wheel 03 z. B. a device for automatic

Change of the printing blankets 33 is provided, the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is preferably of modular construction and a storage device 42 for a plurality of printing blankets 33 as well as a device 43 for a vertical transport of the aforementioned storage device 42 and a device 44 for a horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between each Storage device 42 and one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03. The storage device 42 has, in particular, a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other in a housing, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored or at least storable. In the housing of the storage device 42 z. B. at least as many compartments are provided as the associated segment wheel 03 has segments 32 for printing blankets 33 on its circumference. In the preferred

The device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is designed to perform a lifting movement and / or the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 has a carriage 46 which can be moved bidirectionally between two end points, with the carriage 46 being a single printing blanket 33 is transported or is at least transportable.

There is also a method for operating a device for printing on hollow bodies 01 having a segment wheel 03, with at least one segment 32 of the segment 32 having several segments 32 one after the other

Segment wheel 03 is arranged a printing blanket 33, wherein at least one printing blanket 33 arranged on one of the segments 32 during a rotation of the

Segment wheel 03 rolls on the hollow body to be printed 01, one in

Assignment to the segment wheel 03 provided device for automatic

Changing printing blankets 33 according to a command given to their control unit automatically takes the printing blanket 33 to be arranged on the relevant segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 from a storage device 42 and transports it to the relevant segment 32 of the segment wheel 03. The device for automatically changing printing blankets 33 has a device 44 for horizontal transport of the

Printing blankets 33 with a movable carriage 46, the printing blankets 33 to be transported each being transported lying on the carriage 46. In this case, a printing blanket 33 lying on the slide 46 is preferably arranged in the correct position with respect to an assembly position on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03. In particular, a plurality of printing blankets 33 are stored in the storage device 42, whereby the printing blankets 33 are placed one by one on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 and are successively transported to one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03. A printing blanket 33 to be arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 is arranged on the relevant segment 32 in particular by means of a positive fit produced when the segment wheel 03 rotates between the relevant segment 32 and the printing blanket 33. An arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 blanket 33 is preferably by a z. B. held magnetic adhesion on the segment 32 in question. A printing blanket 33 removed from one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 is likewise preferably transported away from the relevant segment wheel 03 with the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33. It is preferably provided that the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 alternately transports a printing blanket 33 removed from one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 and a new, ie unused printing blanket 33 from the storage device 42 to a free segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 transported, ie to a segment 32 on which no blanket 33 is currently arranged. By means of a switching element 49 z. B. monitors whether a printing blanket 33 to be removed or removed from the storage device 42 has actually been placed on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for horizontal transport and / or in the correct position.

Fig. 14 shows a perspective view again of the segment wheel 03 of the device for printing on hollow bodies 01, with several, for. B. twelve segments 32 for receiving a blanket 33 are arranged. This segment wheel 03 is preferably made of a casting material, for. B. of cast iron, and has a mass of z. B. more than 500 kg, in particular of about 1,000 kg or more. The segment wheel 03 has an outer diameter in the range of z. B. 1,400 mm to 1,600 mm. The segment wheel 03 is with its shaft 53 in a frame 66 of this device for printing on Hollow bodies 01 preferably at both ends z. B. each in particular in double-row roller bearings 63 and rotatably driven by a drive. This one

The segment wheel 03 with a rotary drive is designed as an electric motor 58 with a stator 61 and a rotor 62 having a hollow shaft 54, the hollow shaft 54 being arranged coaxially with the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 or at least being able to be arranged. In the state arranged in the device for printing on hollow bodies 01 - as shown in the sectional view in FIG. 16 - the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 projects into the installation space of the motor 58 and the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 and the rotor 62 of the motor 58 are rigid connected with each other. The segment wheel 03 is preferably on both sides z. B. rigidly connected by means of clamping elements 67 to its shaft 53 and thereby fixed on the shaft 53. The one for the rotary drive of the

Segment wheel 03 provided motor 58 is preferably a multi-pole, electrical direct drive with a number of poles greater than twenty and / or as one

Permanently excited brushless DC motor is formed and exemplarily shown in perspective in FIG. 15. This motor 58 has z. B. a cooling device or is at least connected to such, wherein the cooling device is designed as a liquid cooling. 15 shows two connections formed on the housing 59 of the motor 58 for this liquid cooling, namely a connection for the coolant inflow 56 and another connection for the coolant outflow 57. In an advantageous embodiment, this motor 58 is designed as a torque motor. A preferably digital control unit controlling or regulating it is provided for this motor 58, the control unit by positioning the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 in the stator of the motor 58 to position it on the circumference thereof

Segment wheel 03 relative to a position on the outer surface of a hollow body to be printed 01 is preferably set or at least adjustable with a positioning accuracy of less than 0.1 mm. Likewise, z. B. on the motor 58 opposite end of the shaft 53, a rotary encoder 64 is provided, the rotary encoder 64 having a high angular resolution of z. B. has 27 bits and one

Angular position of the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 detected and one with the Angular position of the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 corresponds to the corresponding measured value of the control unit controlling or regulating the motor 58. The motor 58 and / or the rotary encoder are preferably each connected to the control unit that controls or regulates the motor 58 via a data bus, in particular a control bus.

The aforementioned embodiment of the rotary drive of the segment wheel 03 has the advantage that this drive is designed to be decentralized, gearless and clutchless. This makes the segment wheel 03 drive free of play and compact. In connection with the control unit of this drive, a position on the circumference of this can be

Adjust segment wheel 03 relative to a position on the outer surface of a hollow body 01 to be printed with a positioning accuracy of less than 0.1 mm, which has a very advantageous effect on the print quality that can be achieved. Likewise, i. V. m. the double-row mounting of the segment wheel 03 ensures a very good concentricity of this segment wheel 03, whereby a uniform ink transfer from the respective inking units 06 to the relevant printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 is ensured. With the rotary drive of the segment wheel 03 described here, high acceleration and thus short ramp-up times of 10 s or less can be achieved for this segment wheel 03. The proposed drive for the segment wheel 03 also has the advantage of being low-noise and low-maintenance. All in all, this results in a very efficient drive for segment wheel 03.

Fig. 17 shows again that i. V. m. 14 and 16 described segment wheel 03, but here in a particularly advantageous embodiment. The segment wheel 03 mounted in the printing process in the frame 66 of the device for printing on hollow bodies preferably has a metallic material, e.g. B. from a

Welded construction or made of cast iron base body 68, with several, z. B. twelve segments 32 along the circumference of the base body 68 in each case at a joint 69 in particular in each case spaced from each other or at least can be arranged. The segment wheel 03 is therefore not formed in one piece, with segments 32 already molded on, but these segments 32 each form a from

Base body 68 separable own machine element and are interchangeably arranged on the base body 68. As before, each of these segments 32 is suitable for accommodating a printing blanket 33 in the manner already described.

An advantage on the segment wheel 03 interchangeable segments 32 is that z. B. when changing the machine arrangement to a production of hollow bodies 01 different format, for. B. on cans with a shorter or longer can height and / or a different can diameter compared to the current production, an adjustment in the format of the printing blankets 33 required for printing is easier and faster possible. In a machine arrangement with a segment wheel 03 with already formed segments 32, the entire segment wheel 03 is to be exchanged when converting production to hollow bodies 01 of a different format, which in view of the usual size with an outer diameter in the range of z. B. 1,400 mm to 1,600 mm and / or the usual mass of the segment wheel 03 of z. B. more than 500 kg, especially more than 1,000 kg mean considerable effort and unacceptably long set-up times.

In order to produce a print image of high print quality on hollow bodies 01 in the printing process, a segment wheel 03 has to meet very high demands on its concentricity, which means that such a segment wheel 03 can be processed with high precision, ie with low permissible manufacturing tolerances. This is in a segment wheel 03 with already formed segments 32 due to the relatively large outer diameter in the range of z. B. 1,400 mm to 1,600 mm very complex and expensive. What is still feasible in a first-time production using rather rare and expensive large processing machines is, in the event of damage to the segments 32 or other parts of the segment wheel 03, only by means of very expensive repair measures such as straightening, machining, welding and grinding of the machine arrangement, which are extremely difficult to carry out Damage or possible by replacing the complete segment wheel 03. For the operator of such a machine arrangement, this means besides high

Repair costs include a long production downtime as the whole

Machine arrangement stands still for the duration of the repair measure. Ultimately, there is no variation in the materials used for one-piece segment wheels 03. B. possible to reduce the inertia of the segment wheel 03 concerned.

A segment wheel 03 with a plurality of segments 32 which are arranged along the circumference of its base body 68, in each case at a joint 69, in particular in each case spaced apart from one another and thus replaceable, simplifies the manufacture of the relevant one

Segment wheel 03 and, due to its modular structure, facilitates its adaptation to different formats depending on the respective production and, if necessary, a repair of damaged points on this segment wheel 03, in particular on its segments 32, to be carried out in the machine arrangement.

In the embodiment of the segment wheel 03 according to FIG. 17, the individual, interchangeable segments 32 are preferably finished (FIG. 18). This means that the finished segments 32 only have to correspond with a high degree of accuracy in their respective surface curvature to the desired outer diameter of the segment wheel 03 in question. The remaining geometries play a subordinate role in terms of tolerance. Likewise, the manufacturing tolerances of the outer geometry of the base body 68 of the segment wheel 03 are of secondary importance. The individual segment 32 shown as an example in FIG. B. at least one holding magnet 73 to hold a magnetizable metal carrier printing blanket 33 on the circumference of this segment wheel 03 in particular in the correct position after mounting this segment 32 on the base body 68 of the segment wheel 03.

The necessary high accuracy of the respective tread of the printing blankets 33 in relation to concentricity and radius is achieved by a z. B. with the help of a particular along the circumference of the segment wheel 03 movable rider gauge 72 (FIG. 14) performed alignment process of the segments 32 with the base body 68 of the segment wheel 03 arranged in the machine arrangement. B. by a

Pouring a compensation gap fixed. This is because there is a respective one at the relevant joint 69 between the respective segment 32 and the base body 68

Compensation gap with one arranged in the compensation gap in question

Parting line covering, the parting line preferably as a z. B. low-viscosity casting material or is formed as a filler. The respective segments 32 are thus in each case, in particular, precisely cast at their joining point 69 to the base body 68 of the segment wheel 03. The compensation gap has a gap width of z. B. at least 1 mm up to z. B. 5 mm. In addition, the segments 32 are each z. B. fixed by at least one connecting element 71 to the base body 68 and / or releasably connected to the base body 68. The at least one connecting element 71 connecting the respective segment 32 to the base body 68 of the segment wheel 03 is, for. B. designed as a cheese head screw or as a taper pin.

A joint covering is used to adapt and fit machine parts with the highest accuracy requirements. It allows adjustment in the pm range without time-consuming mechanical preparation and rework. It has a high static compressive strength of e.g. B. 100 N / mm ² and / or a supporting portion of z. B. 100%. A joint covering has a very high adhesive force and hardens without any technically relevant shrinkage. Such a joint covering is z. B. offered by SKC Gleittechnik GmbH in D-96469 Rödental.

19 shows a device for printing on in a simplified and schematic manner

Hollow bodies 01, in which a plurality of hollow bodies 01 are conveyed sequentially to a feed wheel 76 in the transport direction indicated by an arrow and from there to a mandrel wheel 02 and then to a segment wheel 03. The The conveyor wheel 76 and the mandrel wheel 02 are usually part of the decorator and form a device for sequential feeding of the hollow body 01 to the circumference of the segment wheel 03. B. eight or ten drivers and on the circumference of mandrel wheel 02 are several, for. B. 24 or 36

Holding devices are each arranged to receive a hollow body 01 to be printed in cooperation with the segment wheel 03. Along the circumference of the segment wheel 03 several, z. B. eight, ten or twelve preferably different printing inks printing each arranged with a plate cylinder 04 and an inking unit 06, preferably each inking unit 06 is designed as a short inking unit and z. B. has only a single inking roller 07 and an anilox roller 08. On the circumference of the segment wheel 03, several, e.g. B. 12 blankets 33 are arranged, a mandrel wheel 02 having 24 holding devices being set to rotate at half the speed in comparison to a segment wheel 03 with 12 segments 32. Each of the printing blankets 33 arranged on a segment 32 on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 is, for. B. formed as a metal printing blanket and preferably held by a magnetic force on the relevant segment 32 of the segment wheel 03. The segment wheel 03 preferably has a base body 68, the plurality, for. B. twelve segments 32 along the circumference of the

Base body 68 are each arranged at a joint 69, in particular in each case at a distance from one another or at least can be arranged. In the preferred embodiment, the segment wheel 03 is therefore not in one piece, with segments 32 already formed, but rather the segments 32 each form a separate machine element that can be separated from the base body 68 and are attached to the base body 68, for. B. exchangeably arranged by loosening at least one connecting element 71. The drivers of the feed wheel 76 are z. B. formed by recesses on the circumference thereof, each recess at any given time always receiving exactly a single hollow body 01 and being able to convey it during the rotation of the feed wheel 76. The inclusion of a hollow body 01 in the relevant recess of the feed wheel 76 e.g. B. supported by a arranged in the periphery of the feed wheel 76 blown air device 98, wherein depending on an angular position of the feed wheel 76 of the blown air device 98 in each case at least one air blast striking the relevant hollow body 01 in the direction of the feed wheel 76. In an advantageous embodiment, the feed wheel 76 is designed as a star wheel with a plurality of drivers, each in the form of pointed teeth, a hollow body 01 accommodated in an intermediate space between adjacent teeth being conveyed during the rotation of the star wheel.

The mandrel wheel 02 and the feed wheel 76 each have their own separate drive 58 from the segment wheel 03. B. designed as a motor drive 77; 78, the drive 58 of the segment wheel 03 and the drive 77 of the mandrel wheel 02 and the drive 78 of the feed wheel 76 being connected to one another in terms of data technology by a common data bus 79. This drives 58; 77; 78 connecting preferably digitally designed data bus 79 is e.g. B. formed in a ring topology or in a star topology. One of them controls the data bus 79

connected, e.g. B. designed as a central machine control unit 82 by means of control data transported via the common data bus 79, at least both the drive 78 of the feed wheel 76 and the drive 77 of the mandrel wheel 02, preferably also the drive 58 of the segment wheel 03 and others, in particular all on this data bus 79 connected drives. In a decorator with several individual drives connected via a common data bus 79, e.g. B. the drive 77 of the mandrel wheel 02 or the drive 58 of the segment wheel 03 each defined as a master, so that the other drives each align themselves as slaves in their respective rotational behavior according to the previously defined master. The control data controlling the drive 78 of the feed wheel 76 and the drive 77 of the mandrel wheel 02 means that at least one pair of discrete angular positions f1; cp2, which consists of a first angular position cp1 taken or to be taken by one of the drivers on the circumference of the feed wheel 76 and one of one of the Holding devices on the circumference of mandrel wheel 02 or

The second angular position cp2 to be assumed exists in each case at a transfer position 81 which transfers the respective hollow body 01 from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02, in each case fixedly adjusted to one another with reference to this transfer position 81. This means that the pair of angular positions f1; cp2 forming

Angular positions f1; cp2 during a respective rotation of feed wheel 76 and

Mandrel wheel 02 in each case remain unchanged with respect to the transfer position 81, and preferably for all drivers of the feed wheel 76 and all holding devices on the circumference of the mandrel wheel 02, which at least during production of the device for printing on the hollow body 01 on the respective hollow body 01 from The feed wheel 76 must be positioned at the transfer position 81 that transfers the mandrel wheel 02. The data bus 79 to the respective drive 58; 77; Control data transported preferably include at least the respective speed of the shaft of the drive 58 in question; 77; 78 and / or at least one of its shaft

Angular position to be taken. This tax data practice with reference to the decorator in question z. B. the function of a virtual leading axis. The control data transported via the virtual leading axis are a reference variable for the

coordinating axes of the drives 58 connected to this data bus 79; 77; 78. The control data forming a position value of the virtual leading axis, ie the leading value of the virtual leading axis, is used for each by the drives 58; 77; 78 given the following axis, a position setpoint is calculated. At least the drive 77 of the mandrel wheel 02 and the drive 58 of the segment wheel 03 and possibly also the drive 78 of the feed wheel 76 are each designed as an electric direct drive motor controlled and / or position-controlled by the control unit 82 in its respective speed. The drive 58 of the segment wheel 03 is, for. B. designed as a torque motor. In an advantageous embodiment, at least the respective drives 58; 77; 78 of the feed wheel 76, mandrel wheel 02 and segment wheel 03 each have their own drive controller 83 connected to the data bus 79 and their own power section 84. The z. B. by suction one after the other individually one of the mandrels of mandrel wheel 02 and then held by the mandrel in question hollow body 01 are rotated in addition to the rotation of mandrel wheel 02 by a mandrel independently performed or at least executable rotation, because each mandrel is about his respective longitudinal axis rotatable and in particular adjusted to a certain peripheral speed or at least adjustable. In a preferred embodiment, at least one hollow body 01, preferably a plurality of hollow bodies 01, each held on one of the mandrels of mandrel wheel 02, is printed prior to their respective printing by means of at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of segment wheel 03, e.g. B. arranged in particular in the periphery of the mandrel wheel 02, preferably endlessly rotating with these

Hollow bodies 01 acceleration band 86 each in contact with one another, d. H. set in rotation by friction and adjusted to the peripheral speed required for the printing process. This acceleration belt 86 preferably has its own one of the drives 58; 77; 78 of the feed wheel 76, the mandrel wheel 02 and / or the segment wheel 03 separate, but z. B. also connected to the data bus 79 drive 87, the circumferential speed of the acceleration belt 86 being adjustable. The peripheral speed of the acceleration belt 86 is thus z z. B. for each hollow body 01 depending on the requirements of the printing process individually adjustable and / or changeable. The drive 87 of the acceleration belt 86 is, for. B. assigned its own drive controller 83 and its own power section 84.

At least one processing station arranged in the periphery of the mandrel wheel 02 after printing on the hollow body 01 is e.g. B. as a painting device 88 for painting the outer surface of each printed hollow body 01 and / or in particular in two-piece cans as an edge processing station. The processing station designed as a coating device 88 has one Shell surface of at least one of the printed hollow bodies 01 held by the mandrel wheel 02 or at least adjustable paint application roller 89. The paint application roller 89 of the coating device 88 is preferably rotatably driven by its own drive 91, with a hollow body 01 held on the mandrel wheel 02 after printing by means of at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 by the paint application roller 89 driven by the drive 91 by means of friction in Rotation offset and z. B. is set to a certain peripheral speed depending on the requirements of the painting process.

In particular, the peripheral speed of the hollow body 01 through the drive 91 of the paint application roller 89 is independent of the drives 58; 77; 78 of the feed wheel 76, the mandrel wheel 02 and / or the segment wheel 03 set or at least adjustable. A separate drive controller 83 and a separate power unit 84 are advantageously also assigned to the drive 91 of the paint application roller 89.

In the preferred embodiment, in the periphery of the mandrel wheel 02, z. B. at its lower edge, in particular in the transport direction of the hollow body 01 after

Paint application roller 89 of the coating device 88, a braking band 96 is provided, the braking band 96 being arranged to brake at least one rotating hollow body 01 held on one of the holding devices of the mandrel wheel 02 by friction. The braking band 96 is preferably driven by its own drive 97, with at least one rotating from the mandrel wheel 02

Braking band 96 hollow body 01 to be braked by friction after it has been printed by at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 by means of this drive 97 to one which is necessary for further transport

Peripheral speed is set. This peripheral speed of the hollow body 01 is independent of the drives 58 through the drive 97 of the braking band 96;

77; 78; 91 of the feed wheel 76 and / or the mandrel wheel 02 and / or the

Segment wheel 03 and / or the paint application roller 89 of the coating device 88 set or at least adjustable. The drive 97 of the braking band 96 is also preferably assigned its own drive controller 83 and its own power unit 84. The braking band 96 with its own drive 97 enables an optimal

Braking process of the mandrels before the uptake of the standing hollow body 01. It is particularly high at high speeds of rotation of the mandrels in connection with mandrels for large-volume hollow bodies 01

Mass moment of inertia is advantageous or necessary.

Furthermore, in the transport direction of the hollow body 01 a z. B. designed as a rotatable transfer disk 92 conveyor for taking over held on mandrel wheel 02, printed by means of at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of segment wheel 03 and optionally coated on the outer surface of hollow bodies 01, a peripheral speed of

Transfer disc 92 preferably depending on the rotation of the feed wheel 76 z. B. with the drive 78 of this feed wheel 76 z. B. is adjusted by means of a belt drive or at least adjustable. A drive of the transfer disk 92 is such. B. with the drive 78 of the feed wheel 76 z. B. coupled mechanically or electrically, in particular control technology. Alternatively, the transfer disk 92 is of its own, i.e. H. of the other drives 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 97 separate drive with rotary drive.

In the transport direction of the hollow body 01 is preferably a further conveyor 93 for conveying printed and / or painted hollow body 01 z. B. provided in a dryer, this conveyor 93 z. B. as a circulating transport chain 93 with several, for. B. twenty transducers each for receiving one of the hollow bodies 01 to be conveyed and preferably has its own drive 94, in particular a chain drive, this drive 94 preferably at least with which the drives 58; 77; 78 of segment wheel 03, mandrel wheel 02 and feed wheel 76 connecting data bus 79 is connected. The drive 94 of this conveyor 93 is, for. B. a separate drive controller 83 and a own power section 84 assigned.

According to the drive concept for a decorator described here by way of example, at least the drives 58; 77; 78 of segment wheel 03, mandrel wheel 02 and feed wheel 76 each formed as individual drives and connected to one another via a common data bus 79. Advantageously, further devices connected to the common data bus 79 are in the device for printing on hollow bodies 01

Single drives are provided, e.g. B. the drive 87 for the acceleration belt 86 and / or the drive 91 for the paint application roller 89 of the coating device 88 and / or the drive 97 for the braking belt 96 and / or the drive, if appropriate, for the transfer disk 92 and / or the drive 94 for the transport chain 93. All these drives 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 are connected by a to the common data bus 79, for. B. designed as a central machine control unit 82 controlled by means of this common data bus 79 control data, which control data preferably at least the respective speed of the shaft of the drive 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 and contain at least one angular position to be taken up by its shaft. The central

Machine control trained control unit 82 is, for. B. is designed as a control station belonging to the decorator in question, with the drives 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; Have 97 required control data set at this control center.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed wheel 76, the mandrel wheel 02, the segment wheel 03 and the transfer disk 92 are controlled by the control of their respective drives 58; 77; 78 synchronized with one another by means of the control data transported via the common data bus 79 in such a way that, at a certain point in time at which the feed wheel 76 transfers a hollow body 01 to the mandrel wheel 02, another hollow body 01 already arranged on the mandrel wheel 02 is being replaced by a hollow body 01 arranged on the segment wheel 03 Printing blanket 33 is printed and yet another already printed Hollow body 01 is transferred from mandrel wheel 02 to transfer disk 92.

One advantage of the drive concept using a single drive instead of a central drive is the very high positioning accuracy that can be achieved in particular for the mandrel wheel 02 and the segment wheel 03, which enables a point-sharp pressure on the outer surface of the hollow body 01. The separate drive 87 for the acceleration belt 86 enables individual control of the rotation of each hollow body 01 arranged on a mandrel of the mandrel wheel 02, wherein if required, the rotation of the respective hollow body 01 is advanced or lagged with respect to one on the circumference of the segment wheel 03

arranged blanket 33 is adjusted or at least adjustable. The separate drive 94 for the transport chain 93 enables exact counting of the conveyed hollow bodies 01 and / or targeted removal of defective hollow bodies 01. The separate drives 77; 78; 94 for the facilities directly involved in the transport of the hollow bodies 01, d. H. in particular conveyor wheel 76, mandrel wheel 02,

Transfer disk 92 and / or transport chain 93 offer the advantage that the timing of the various transfer actions for transferring the hollow bodies 01 in question can be adjusted from one conveying element to the other without mechanical intervention on the respective drive elements.

Advantageously, the motor 11 of the plate cylinder 04 and the motor 12 of the anilox roller 08 of the respective inking unit 06 interacting with the segment wheel 03 are each assigned their own drive controller 83 and their own power unit 84, the drive controller 83 as a rule together with the associated power unit 84 z. B. represents an embodiment of the electronic control unit described above, with which the relevant motor 1 1 of the plate cylinder 04 and the relevant motor 12 of the anilox roller 08 each z. B. is regulated in its respective speed or at least controllable. The respective drive controller 83 and the associated power unit 84 are preferably connected via the data bus 79 to the central one Machine control trained control unit 82 connected, this central control unit 82 z. B. is designed as the control center belonging to the decorator in question.

In the preferred embodiment, several, preferably all, drives or motors 11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 each individually and independently controlled or at least controllable. It is preferably provided that 1 1; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 each have at least one characteristic curve field for their respective control. B. in the central control unit 82 or z. B. in the respective engine 1 1; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 belonging drive controller 83 is stored. To z. B. a change of production, in particular a conversion of the machine arrangement to a production of

Hollow bodies 01 different format, for. B. on cans with a shorter or longer can height compared to the current production and / or another

To facilitate can diameter, it is advantageous that the respective motors 11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 are controlled or at least controllable in accordance with coordinated characteristic fields. As a result, the respective motors 1 1; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 depending on the respective, in particular previously on the central control unit 82, i. H. Production synchronized or synchronized with one another, especially at the control center. On the other hand, it is also possible with a drive concept using individual drives, e.g. B. for the purpose of maintenance or repair or installation or retrofitting a first subset of each of one of the motors 1 1; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 drivable assemblies 02; 03; 04; 08; 76; 86; 89; 92; 93; 96, in particular a single one of the motors 1 1; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 driven assembly 02; 03; 04; 08; 76; 86; 89; 92; 93; 96 individually, d. H. selectively put into operation, so that each one

Performs rotational movement or perform while at least one other

Assembly 02; 03; 04; 08; 76; 86; 89; 92; 93; 96, ie a second subset of each from one of the engines 1 1; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 drivable assemblies 02;

03; 04; 08; 76; 86; 89; 92; 93; 96 each at a standstill.

20 shows a section of FIG. 19 relating to the feeding of the hollow bodies 01, wherein a plurality of hollow bodies 01 are sequentially conveyed by the conveying device 74 in the transport direction indicated by the arrow and along the transport path indicated by the arrow and from there the mandrel wheel 02 are supplied, wherein the respective direction of rotation of the feed wheel 76 and mandrel wheel 02 are also indicated by an arrow indicating the direction of rotation. In its preferred embodiment, the feed wheel 76 has an angular range w, in which angular range w a suction device 99 integrated in the feed wheel 76 or at least interacting with the feed wheel 76 is effective or at least can be effective. The

Suction device 99 is accordingly arranged in or on the feed wheel 76 such that it supports the feeding of a hollow body 01 to be printed to one of the holding devices arranged on the segment wheel 03.

21 again shows a simplified and schematic illustration of the drive concept of the feed wheel 76 and mandrel wheel 02, the feed wheel 76 being driven independently or at least drivable by the drive 78 and the mandrel wheel 02 by the drive 77, each separately from the drive 58 of the segment wheel 03. The two drives 77; 78 are connected to the data bus 79 via their respective drive controllers 83. The by these two drives 77; 78 rotary movements are synchronized with one another by control data communicated on the data bus 79. In a preferred embodiment, a mammal pump 101 is e.g. B. connected via a preferably remote-controlled clutch 102 to the feed wheel 76 or at least switchable, both in

Machine run as well as during a machine stop, ie both when the feed wheel 76 is rotating and at a standstill. The breast pump 101 and / or the clutch 102 can each be switched or actuated by the central control unit 82, ie in particular from the control station. In its activated operating state, the Mammal pump 101 in the angular range w swept by the rotating feed wheel 76, a suppressor, through which a hollow body 01 to be conveyed from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 is correctly received on one of the drivers arranged on the circumference of the feed wheel 76 and held in this position one of the circumferences of the

Mandrelrades 02 arranged holding devices is supplied. Since the mandrel wheel 02 rotates through the drive control with the feed wheel 76

is synchronized, a hollow body 01 held by one of the drivers of the feed wheel 76 is one of the holders on the circumference of the mandrel wheel 02 very precisely, i. H. precisely positioned.

Details of a suction device 99 cooperating with the feed wheel 76 are shown in simplified form in FIG. 22. The conveyor wheel 76 preferably has at least one sucking opening 103 on its circumference in the region of at least one of its drivers. A from the connected mammal pump 101 z. B. in a channel 106 generated air flow 104 generates at the relevant sucking opening 103 a suppressive force, through which a hollow body 01 to be conveyed from the conveying wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 is received and held on one of the drivers arranged on the circumference of the conveying wheel 76. The nursing pump 101 is or is in particular dependent on a respective angular position A; B of the feed wheel 76 driven by the drive 78 is switched on or off, so that the angular range swept by the rotating feed wheel 76 for the duration of the switched on mammal pump 101 is the angular range w in which a hollow body 01 to be conveyed from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 is located on one of the Scope of the conveyor wheel 76 arranged carrier is held. If at least the drive 78 of the

Conveyor wheel 76 z. B. as a speed-controlled and / or position-controlled direct motor drive, it is possible to maintain the angular range w in which a hollow body 01 to be conveyed from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 is held on one of the drivers arranged on the circumference of the feed wheel 76, and thus also the

Angular position at which one to be conveyed from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 Hollow body 01 held on the circumference of the feed wheel 76 and then passed to the mandrel wheel 02, in increments of z. B. 0.01 mm and thus set very precisely, so that a very high positioning accuracy is achieved for the transfer of a hollow body 01 to one of the brackets on the circumference of the mandrel wheel 02. Because the

Direct drive of the feed wheel 76 enables a very precise setting of a

Circumferential register of this conveyor wheel 76 in relation to the respective holders on the circumference of the mandrel wheel 02. This high positioning accuracy in turn leads to the hollow body 01 to be printed in a decorator even at a high level

Production speed in the range of e.g. B. 1,500 to 3,000, especially in the range of z. B. 1,800 to 2,500 hollow bodies 01 per minute transferred very precisely from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 and disruptions in the production process can be avoided. Also 99 setup times on the decorator z. B. after a change in format of the hollow body to be printed 01.

Reference list

01 hollow body; Two-part can

02 mandrel wheel

03 segment wheel

04 printing form cylinder; Plate cylinder 05

06 inking unit

07 Ink application roller

08 Anilox roller

09 chamber doctor blade system

10th

1 1 motor (04)

12 engine (08)

13 rider roller

14 plate changers

15

16 contact surface

17 traverse

18 lever arrangement, first

19 axis of rotation, first

20

21 drive, first

22 stop, first

23 lever arrangement, second

24 lever arrangement, third

25th

26 axis of rotation, second

27 drive, second Drive, third

Anchor system, first anchor system, second

Segment (03)

Printing blanket

Rotation axis (03) recess

Edge (33)

Hanging legs (33)

Edge (36) axis of rotation (02)

Storage device

Facility

Establishment sledge

spatula

Switching element, first

Switching element, second switching element, third

attack

wave

Hollow shaft connection for the coolant inflow Connection for the coolant drain drive; Motor (03)

Stator housing

rotor

roller bearing

Encoder frame

Clamping element

Basic body (03)

Joining element

Riding apprenticeship

Holding magnet

Conveyor conveyor wheel

Drive (02)

Drive (76; 92)

Data bus transfer position

Control unit

Drive controller

Power section 86 acceleration band

87 drive (86)

88 painting device

89 paint application roller

90

91 drive (89)

92 transfer disc

93 conveyor; Transport chain

94 drive (93)

95

96 braking band

97 drive

98 blowing air device

99 suction device

100

101 mammal pump

102 clutch

103 Breast opening

104 airflow

105 -

106 channel

A angular position

B angular position

d04 outside diameter

d07 outer diameter

d08 outer diameter

G Straight f1 angular position, first f2 angular position, second w angular range

Claims

Expectations

1. Device for printing on hollow bodies (01), with a segment wheel (03) and a device for sequentially feeding the hollow bodies (01) to the circumference of the segment wheel (03), this device having at least one feed wheel (76) and one mandrel wheel ( 02), in the direction of transport the hollow body (01) first the feed wheel (76), then the mandrel wheel (02) and then that

Segment wheel (03) are arranged, several drivers and on the circumference of the mandrel wheel (02) several holding devices are arranged on the circumference of the conveyor wheel (76) each for receiving a hollow body (01) to be printed in cooperation with the segment wheel (03), wherein the feed wheel (76) has a suction device (99) for suctioning the respective hollow body (01) to be supplied to the segment wheel (03), the suction device (99) having a mammal pump (101), the mammal pump (101) depending on an angular position (A; B) of the feed wheel (76) is switched on or off from a central control unit (82) and one when it is switched on

Suppression is generated, a hollow body (01) to be conveyed from the feed wheel (76) to the mandrel wheel (02) being arranged on one of the drivers of the feed wheel (76) in an angular range (w) of the rotating feed wheel (76) by the suppression on the driver in question the feed wheel (76) is held.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed wheel (76) has at least one sucking opening (103) on its circumference in the region of at least one of its drivers, an air flow (104) generated by the connected sucking pump (101) of the relevant sucking opening (103) generates the negative pressure through which one of the feed wheel (76) to

Mandrel wheel (02) to be conveyed hollow body (01) is held on one of the drivers arranged on the circumference of the conveyor wheel (76).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the

Angular range (w) of the rotating conveyor wheel (76), in which one of the drivers is to be conveyed from the conveyor wheel (76) to the mandrel wheel (02)

Conveyor wheel (76) received hollow body (01) is held by the suppressor on the relevant driver of this conveyor wheel (76), is less than 180 °, in particular less than 120 ° and / or that this angular range (w) of the rotating conveyor wheel (76) by the angular position (A) at which the

Sucking pump (101) is switched on, and that angular position (B) at which the sucking pump (101) is switched off is fixed.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that in the periphery of the feed wheel (76) a blown air device (98) is arranged, the blown air device (98) receiving a hollow body (01) on one of the drivers of the feed wheel (76) supported by the fact that the blowing air device (98), depending on an angular position of the feed wheel (76), in each case ejects at least one air blast in the direction of the feed wheel (76) onto the relevant hollow body (01).

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the nursing pump (101) can be switched on both when the feed wheel is rotating and when it is stationary (76).

6. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that the central control unit (82) is designed as a control center belonging to this device.

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, characterized

characterized in that the mandrel wheel (02) and the feed wheel (76) are separate from a drive (58) of the segment wheel (03) are each driven by a separate drive (77; 78).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the drive (58) of the segment wheel (03) and / or the drive (77) of the mandrel wheel (02) and / or the drive (78) of the feed wheel (76) each as one position-controlled direct motor drive is formed.

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that one of the

Drive (78) of the feed wheel (76) rotational movement is synchronized with the rotational movement exerted by the drive (77) of the mandrel wheel (02).

10. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9, characterized in that the angular range (w) in which a hollow body to be conveyed from the feed wheel (76) to the mandrel wheel (02) ( 01) is held on one of the drivers arranged on the circumference of the conveyor wheel (76), and / or an angular position at which a hollow body (01) to be conveyed from the conveyor wheel (76) to the mandrel wheel (02) is conveyed from the conveyor wheel (76) to the mandrel wheel (02) is passed, in each case set in increments of 0.01 mm or in even smaller increments or at least adjustable.

1 1. Device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10, characterized in that the breast pump (101) connected via a clutch (102) to the feed wheel (76) or at least switchable is.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the clutch (102) from the central control unit (82) switched or at least switchable.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12, characterized in that the circumference of the mandrel wheel (02) each for receiving one in cooperation with a plurality of holding devices arranged concentrically to the circumferential line of the mandrel wheel (02) each in the form of a cantilever projecting from an end face of the mandrel wheel (02)

Mandrel are formed.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that each mandrel is rotatable about its respective longitudinal axis, a hollow body (01) to be conveyed to the mandrel wheel (02) being conveyed to the conveying wheel (76) during a standstill phase of the relevant mandrel.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 1 1 or 12 or 13 or 14, characterized in that the hollow body to be printed (01) each formed as a two-part box are, whose respective outer surface is to be printed.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 1 1 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15, characterized in that this device has a production speed in the range of 1,500 to 3,000 , in particular in the range from 1,800 to 2,500 hollow bodies (01) per minute.